5 Common Safety Issues in Warehouses and How to Solve Them
Warehouses can be dangerous pages if not cared for properly, with one recent example including 20,000 individuals being injured operating a forklift in the last year alone . To mitigate injuries, its vital warehouses comply with a strict health and safety culture, which begins from the top down.
A culture that is rich in health and safety compliance will help all employees be more aware of warehouse risks (e.g. slips and falling objects), as well as what to do should a health and safety incident occur. This is vital for a team who will be working in fast paced warehouse environments every day.
Keep on reading to find out 5 common safety issues in warehouses and how to solve them:
Team Member Falls
One of the most common safety issues in warehouses includes slips, trips and falls. This can be caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces and cluttered walkways. Trips are common in warehouses due to the sheer amount of floor space a warehouse tends to have, as well as potential liquids and other substances that accidentally end up on a pathway. A simple health and safety risk assessment can assess the pathways to check for risks, as well as intervene if there is a hotspot. A leaking pipe could be sealed with a EPDM rubber sheet.
There are a number of ways to resolve this risk. Regular maintenance and housekeeping can ensure there are no spillages on the floor for workers to fall over, as well as the use of rubber matting to increase grip.
Lifting Injuries
Another safety issue can include lifting injuries. This can occur due to bad posture when lifting items, and over time this can lead to significant health problems. For example, a worker might be lifting up boxes that are too heavy for them, combined with a bad posture will cause back and limb injuries.
This can be resolved by implementing health and safety measures in place like certain tools to assist with heavy lifting, like a pallet truck or scissor lift. Training could also be given to team members so they know which items they should and shouldn’t be lifting, in the form of a checklist or video.
Falling Items
Another common safety issue is the risk of falling items. Warehouses have high-up shelves with items that could potentially fall on workers working below, causing significant head injuries. Unaware items landing on the floor could lead to trips and falls.
This could be resolved by not overstocking shelves, as well as reviewing the strength of shelves. Providing personal protective equipment like hard hats can also offer additional safety.
Fire Safety
Another safety issue includes fire risk. If a warehouse is full of flammable materials, then there is a risk of a fast spreading fire, thanks to the open nature of a warehouse building. Cardboard packaging and wooden pallets will be very common in warehouses, which would help the fire spread quickly.
To mitigate this risk, an emergency exit plan can be implemented so if the situation were to occur, the team will know how to escape the building efficiently. The use of fire drills can help ensure everybody is prepared. If the team is handling flammable materials, ensuring they know how to hold them correctly will also help mitigate the risk of fire.
Working at height
Due to the nature of workers having to work above floor level, there is a risk they could be injured from falling. They could be stacking goods on high shelving, removing goods from high places or using ladders to place products. One wrong move could lead them to falling from height, injuring themselves and others on the ground.
There are a number of steps to help mitigate the likelihood of falls at height, like ensuring team members do not stand on fork lift trucks and pallets to access heights.
Addressing these common safety issues requires a proactive approach focused on training, maintenance, and strict adherence to safety protocols. By implementing these solutions, warehouses can create a safer working environment, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall productivity. Remember, a safe warehouse is an efficient and effective one.
